Split, Zadar and Secrets of the North Yacht Cruise - MS Adriatic Sky

Split's ancient core is so spectacular and unusual that a visit is more than worth your time. The heart of the city lies within the walls of Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, which was built in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian, born in the nearby Roman settlement of Salona in AD 245, achieved a brilliant career as a soldier and became emperor at the age of 40. In 295 he ordered this vast palace to be built in his native Dalmatia, and when it was completed he stepped down from the throne and retired to his beloved homeland. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in an octagonal mausoleum, around which Split's magnificent cathedral was built.In 615, when Salona was sacked by barbarian tribes, those fortunate enough to escape found refuge within the stout palace walls and divided up the vast imperial apartments into more modest living quarters. Thus, the palace developed into an urban center, and by the 11th century the settlement had expanded beyond the ancient walls.Under the rule of Venice (1420–1797), Split—as a gateway to the Balkan interior—became one of the Adriatic's main trading ports, and the city's splendid Renaissance palaces bear witness to the affluence of those times. When the Habsburgs took control during the 19th century, an overland connection to Central Europe was established by the construction of the Split–Zagreb–Vienna railway line.After World War II, the Tito years saw a period of rapid urban expansion: industrialization accelerated and the suburbs extended to accommodate high-rise apartment blocks. Today the historic center of Split is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

Arrival in Split - On arrival to Split, you’ll be taken your deluxe yacht, moored in the ancient harbour. As you step on board this luxurious vessel, your home for the next seven nights, you will be welcomed by the friendly captain and crew, ready to help you settle into your new surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can start to truly unwind in the company of your fellow passengers – just 38 of you. Perhaps take to the sun deck or wander ashore – whatever you choose it won’t be long before it’s time to enjoy dinner in the ship’s restaurant. Later perhaps head for an after-dinner drink in a local bar whilst soaking up the ambience of this historic and intriguing city.

Šibenik's main monument, its Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, built of pale-gray Dalmatian stone and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands on a raised piazza close to the seafront promenade. From here a network of narrow, cobbled streets leads through the medieval quarter of tightly packed, terra-cotta–roof houses, and up to the ruins of a 16th-century hilltop fortress. The city has never been a real tourist destination. Before the Croatian war for independence, it was a relatively prosperous industrial center, but when the factories closed, Šibenik sank into an economic depression. However, the cathedral more than warrants a look, and it makes a decent base for visiting the waterfalls of Krka National Park.

Šibenik - Awake refreshed and draw back the curtains to witness the morning sun rising over the glistening water; now you’re really on holiday and home will feel a long way away. Over a leisurely breakfast, excitement mounts as our beautiful yacht-cruiser slips her moorings and we commence our Dalmatian adventure. The Dalmatian coastline is considered to be one of the most spectacular in Europe with mile upon mile of quiet beaches and calm, pretty, secluded bays perfect for swimming. The stark magnificence of the mountains sweeps dramatically into a fertile green landscape, studded with tiny stone built hamlets set amongst lush fruit groves and beautifully preserved medieval towns. In the crystal waters of the Adriatic lies a sprinkling of alluring unspoilt islands and mysterious coves inviting discovery. During our cruise this morning we stop for a swim before lunch back on board. After, why not take to the deck and catch up on some reading whilst a kaleidoscope of breath-taking coastal views drifts idly by? Later we arrive at the port of Šibenik and enjoy a guided walking tour of this interesting little town. Wander through the delightful maze of its medieval old town, unchanged for centuries and see the remarkable cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and one of the finest in the region. We remain moored in Šibenik overnight, so take dinner at your leisure in one of the many quaint local restaurants, whilst absorbing the infectious charms of this lovely area.

Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.

Kornati National Park & Zadar - This morning we continue our journey northwards and after a leisurely breakfast, we stop for an invigorating swim in one of the many pretty bays along the rocky coastline. Back on board, we soon enter the waters of the Kornati archipelago, where a vast group of over 90 almost desert-like islands lie scattered around the central island of Kornat. The distinct barren landscape of these islands was a designated national parkland in 1980 in celebration of their remarkably desolate beauty. With striking views at every turn, enjoy another delicious lunch before we arrive at our mooring in the ancient capital of Dalmatia, Zadar. With striking views at every turn, enjoy another delicious lunch before we arrive at our mooring in the ancient capital of Dalmatia, Zadar. This bustling coastal town with the style and charm of the Italian Riviera, was for centuries ruled by the Venetians. Home to Croatia’s oldest university, established by monks during the 14th century, sadly much of the historic centre was destroyed during World War II. We enjoy a guided tour before you are free to explore under your own steam. Perhaps visit the Romanesque cathedral with its beautifully carved stonework or climb the bell tower for spectacular views over the city’s rooftops. Take a stroll on the promenade or wander the tangle of medieval streets, absorbing the sights and sounds of this cosmopolitan seaside town. Soon it’ll be time for dinner, so why not try one of the many cosy restaurants serving grilled meats or fresh fish dishes? Make sure you don't miss the sound and light show of the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation at the waterfront! You could end the evening with a glass of maraschino, a local cherry liqueur produced here since the 16th-century.

Split's ancient core is so spectacular and unusual that a visit is more than worth your time. The heart of the city lies within the walls of Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, which was built in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian, born in the nearby Roman settlement of Salona in AD 245, achieved a brilliant career as a soldier and became emperor at the age of 40. In 295 he ordered this vast palace to be built in his native Dalmatia, and when it was completed he stepped down from the throne and retired to his beloved homeland. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in an octagonal mausoleum, around which Split's magnificent cathedral was built.In 615, when Salona was sacked by barbarian tribes, those fortunate enough to escape found refuge within the stout palace walls and divided up the vast imperial apartments into more modest living quarters. Thus, the palace developed into an urban center, and by the 11th century the settlement had expanded beyond the ancient walls.Under the rule of Venice (1420–1797), Split—as a gateway to the Balkan interior—became one of the Adriatic's main trading ports, and the city's splendid Renaissance palaces bear witness to the affluence of those times. When the Habsburgs took control during the 19th century, an overland connection to Central Europe was established by the construction of the Split–Zagreb–Vienna railway line.After World War II, the Tito years saw a period of rapid urban expansion: industrialization accelerated and the suburbs extended to accommodate high-rise apartment blocks. Today the historic center of Split is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

Split - We enjoy a leisurely start this morning and after breakfast we continue our journey south. Make sure you make the most of this final morning on board, soaking up the sun on deck or enjoying a drink with newly made friends in the bar. After a last lunch, it isn’t long before Split’s ancient skyline appears on the horizon once again as we begin our final approach into this unique and remarkable city. Fascinating and magnificent Split is principally famous for a single building, the Emperor Diocletian’s huge palace, one of the greatest structures of the Roman Empire. No expense was spared in its construction – the finest Italian marble with columns and sphinxes from Egypt. Truly astonishing though is that during medieval times this extraordinary palace was fully integrated into the town’s fabric with a jumble of buildings grafted onto and inside it – for example the Temple of Jupiter became a baptistry. You will find surprises at every turn – spiralling medieval buildings lining the streets but buttressed by unmistakably Roman columns. We enjoy a guided walking tour of this fascinating complex, recently used as the setting of the epic TV series, Game of Thrones. Take dinner at your leisure whilst the ship remains moored in Split. Later, enjoy a final digestif on the sun deck and reflect on what has been a very special kind of holiday.

Split's ancient core is so spectacular and unusual that a visit is more than worth your time. The heart of the city lies within the walls of Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, which was built in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian, born in the nearby Roman settlement of Salona in AD 245, achieved a brilliant career as a soldier and became emperor at the age of 40. In 295 he ordered this vast palace to be built in his native Dalmatia, and when it was completed he stepped down from the throne and retired to his beloved homeland. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in an octagonal mausoleum, around which Split's magnificent cathedral was built.In 615, when Salona was sacked by barbarian tribes, those fortunate enough to escape found refuge within the stout palace walls and divided up the vast imperial apartments into more modest living quarters. Thus, the palace developed into an urban center, and by the 11th century the settlement had expanded beyond the ancient walls.Under the rule of Venice (1420–1797), Split—as a gateway to the Balkan interior—became one of the Adriatic's main trading ports, and the city's splendid Renaissance palaces bear witness to the affluence of those times. When the Habsburgs took control during the 19th century, an overland connection to Central Europe was established by the construction of the Split–Zagreb–Vienna railway line.After World War II, the Tito years saw a period of rapid urban expansion: industrialization accelerated and the suburbs extended to accommodate high-rise apartment blocks. Today the historic center of Split is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

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